The News Is Good And Joyous

February 9, 1987|By SCOTT BENARDE, Music Writer

Huey Lewis has been trying for years to tell everybody that there`s nothing fancy or pretentious about his band the News, or his band`s music. He keeps saying they`re just a good live band playing straight ahead rock `n` roll.

Judging from the band`s albums and its Friday night performance at the Hollywood Sportatorium, Lewis` analysis is right on the mark. Huey Lewis and the News run right up the middle. The result is a stack of Top 10 hits, all of which they performed in concert.

Except Lewis forgot to mention a key ingredient to the band`s success evident Friday night. Sure they`re solid musicians, hunk handsome and adept at selecting the right songs from outside writers. But Huey Lewis and the News also is probably the most fun-loving band on the road. The group exudes joy and has a healthy sense of humor. Audiences have to compete with them to see who is getting a bigger kick out of the evening.

Much of Friday night Lewis and company were sprinting across the stage, climbing on top of speaker cabinets, jumping off risers, smiling a lot and playing with an unfettered vitality.

Even the accompanying five-piece Tower of Power horn section shook and shimmied as it fattened the News` sound on such numbers as Power of Love, Trouble in Paradise, This Is It and I Want a New Drug. During Hip to Be Square the road crew got into the act parading around on stage like nerds seeking revenge. The drawback is that much of this feels sanitized, predictable and a bit too cute.

The humor and fun, however, is no cover up for lack of talent. The group bares its `50s soul and dares to perform a cappella on a number or two, and also stretches out instrumentally on several of its most popular songs.

Between all the punch lines there are anti-war songs (Walking on a Thin Line, anti-drug songs (I Want a New Drug2) and some very heartfelt romantic ballads (Doing It All for My Baby).

It all added up to 12,000 people standing on their seats (which I declare from this moment on is rude, uncomfortable and no longer hip), cheering, dancing, singing along and staring goo-goo eyed at Lewis and company for two rock-filled hours.

Friday night the News was good.

So was the opening act, blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray, acclaimed as the latest, greatest purveyor of electric blues, and part of the blues revival that also includes the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Los Lobos.

Cray, who was backed by a four-piece band, has a fluid, passionate voice and a fraternal rapport with his Fender guitar. He put both to excellent use as he rocked through selections from his latest album, Strong Persuader.